Many tasty and aromatic berries grow in nature. They are loved by adults and children. Housewives make jam from them, canning, drying, making juices. But there are also inedible berries that can, at best, cause mild harm to health, and at worst, cause death. It is useful to know how they look and what kind of danger they pose in themselves.
Elder
Red elderberry is a shrub from 2 to 3.5 m tall. The crown is openwork, the leaves have a bright green color, the berries are round, small, red, very attractive in appearance, collected in dense brushes. They are poisonous to humans, although the birds eat them without any harm to themselves. In a person, after eating even a small amount of red elderberry, a headache may be unbearable, vomiting may open, and consciousness may be switched off.
In case of poisoning with red elderberries, you need to see a doctor or, if you are not feeling very bad, rinse your stomach yourself by drinking a lot of water and causing vomiting.
The herbal elderberry, which is popularly called the stinking elderberry, is also found in nature.
The berries are small black drupes with 3-4 seeds and bright red juice. When eating even a small amount of fruits, a person feels headache and dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, sore throat. Then vomiting opens, convulsions are possible. The substance oxyhemoglobin accumulates in the blood, as a result of which the mucous membranes acquire a blue tint. If you do not provide a person with timely assistance, death from respiratory arrest can occur.
Lily of the valley
As far as the benefits of this plant are, the risk of poisoning with its berries is also great. Extremely beautiful, bright red or orange, they draw attention to themselves. But it is worth eating just a few pieces, and after a few minutes an unbearable headache sets in, tinnitus appears, the pulse becomes rare, the pupils narrow sharply. Convulsions are possible. Urgent medical attention is needed.
Nightshade
Distinguish between black nightshade and bittersweet nightshade. Black nightshade is poisonous only at the time of ripening, but its ripe fruits no longer contain dangerous poisonous compounds and, in principle, become non-poisonous. In ancient times, they were even used for filling pies. This type of nightshade at the time of absolute maturity can have both black and green berries.
Bittersweet nightshade, whose berries are red in color, oblong in shape and resemble very beautiful small tomatoes, is inedible at any time. Its leaves are also poisonous. The plant contains poisonous resin and cocognin, which cause severe poisoning. But the glycoside dulcamarine is especially dangerous for humans - a substance that acts similarly to atropine, i.e. causes disturbances in the work of the heart, respiratory and central nervous system. A lethal dose is 15-20 berries.
In case of poisoning with nightshade, it is necessary to give a person cold water to drink (preferably with ice), induce vomiting, and then solder it with a decoction of flaxseed. And get it to the hospital as soon as possible.
Raven eye
This plant is a close relative of the May lily of the valley. Only the berry here is always one for the whole bush. When ripe, it is shiny, black, sometimes covered with a light bluish bloom, very juicy and appetizing in appearance. At the same time, it contains the poisonous substance saponin parastifin, which affects the work of the heart. The root, stem and leaves of the plant are also poisonous. The wisest thing to do when meeting him is not to touch him at all.
Belladonna
Other names are belladonna, crassa, mad berry, sleepy stupor, mad cherry. The berries are black-blue, shiny, flattened-spherical, juicy. It tastes sweet and sour. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but especially the fruits. It is enough to eat 2-3 berries to get severe poisoning. Within 10 minutes after consumption, its first signs come: burning and dry mouth, difficulty speaking, hoarse voice, shortness of breath, rapid pulse and redness of the skin. The pupils are maximally dilated and do not react to light. You can observe a feverish state of a poisoned person, sharp motor agitation, convulsions, hallucinations and delirium. Urgent help from a doctor is the first thing that he needs at these moments.
